It wasn’t the historic beatdown the New York Knicks delivered to the Atlanta Hawks to close out their first-round series.
But the vibe for the Knicks was the same Monday night as they cruised to a 137-98 Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The win marked their fourth straight in the postseason by 16-plus points and their third straight by 29 or more. They’ve now outscored their opponents by a combined 135 points in their last four games, the largest margin in a four-game span in NBA playoff history.
The Knicks outclassed the Hawks to close out their first-round series and stated their intention Monday night to do the same to the 76ers.
And it’s safe to say the Knicks are playing their best basketball of the season to start the playoffs.
Brunson takes center stage at MSG
Jalen Brunson was the star Monday night in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd that was frothing at the prospect of facing the rival 76ers. He scored 14 of New York’s 21 points while hitting 6 of his first 7 shots from the field.
By halftime, Brunson had 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting. He scored New York’s last 11 points of the half, including a 3-pointer that beat the buzzer.
The bucket extended New York’s lead to 74-51, and they closed their second straight first half with 70-plus points at the break. The game was never competitive again.
Knicks put on shooting clinic
When the final horn sounded, Brunson had racked up 35 points, 3 assists and 2 steals in 31 minutes while watching the fourth quarter from the bench. He shot 12 of 18 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3. He hit all eight of his free throws.
The effort recalled Brunson’s 2024 playoff performance against the 76ers in which he led the Knicks to close out the series with three consecutive 40-point games.
But it wasn’t a one-man show. New York beat Philadelphia inside and out and on both sides of the court. Four Knicks starters scored in double figures and shot 50% or better from the field and from 3.
Karl-Anthony Towns overcame early foul trouble to finish with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes while shooting 7 of 11 from the field. OG Anunoby added 18 points on a 7-of-8 effort. Mikal Bridges scored 17 point on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
As a team, the Knicks shot 64% from the field and a scorching 54% (19 of 36) from 3.
Joel Embiid had played just 57 regular season games and one at MSG since that 2024 playoff series prior to Monday night. Knicks fans welcomed him back with chants of “F*** Embiid” before the game’s opening tip.
For about a quarter, Embiid responded by keeping the 76ers competitive. He drew two early fouls on Towns to send his longtime rival to the bench midway through the first quarter. He picked up another on Mitchell Robinson and scored six of his eight first-half points from the line.
But Embiid was playing in his fifth straight game after recovering from an emergency appendectomy. And over the course of the game, he struggled from the field against a physical Knicks defense that limited him to 3 of 11 shooting. He missed both of his 3-point attempts and finished the game with 14 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes.
And the 76ers, who battled back from a 3-1 deficit for a Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday, looked a lot like a team that was running on fumes.
As a team, they shot 41% from the field and surrendered a 39-28 rebounding advantage. Tyrese Maxey was 3 of 9 from the field and missed all three of his 3s en route to 13 points.
Paul George was Philadelphia’s best weapon Monday night with 17 points while shooting 4 of 6 from 3. But he didn’t get much help.
The 76ers will have to find a way to regroup and recharge ahead of Game 2 in an effort to keep the series competitive. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
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